How to Choose Best Soldering Gun (Iron) for Stained Glass?

Stained glass is an art and craft that many people take as a hobby. Stained glass is often used in the making of lampshades and windows. Meanwhile, it is also useful for cabinet doors, boxes, picture frames, clocks, and lots more.

Stained glass soldering iron is one of the most expensive items of all the stained glass kit. And truly they should be!

Do you know it is a whole wasted effort to purchase a cheap soldering iron and later find out that it does not solder properly? There is nothing more discouraging than this, and it may put you off soldering forever!

Soldering iron is a crucial part of the stained glass kit. Therefore, you need to choose carefully. If you are so sure that you know what exactly you are looking for.

How to Choose the Best Soldering Iron/Station for Stained Glass?

There are so many things to be considered when selecting a soldering iron for stained glass.

The handle should be heat resistant

Check the wattage of any iron carefully before you consider it.

It must be comfortable to hold

It must be balanced and of a medium weight because you may need to hold it for several hours at a go.

It must be able to generate enough heat continuously to melt any solder you plan to work with and be compatible with the type of construction you are using, for example, copper, lead came, foil, rebar, etc. You need an iron that generates at least 60 watts, chisel type tips, and a means of controlling the temperature

Top Two Recommendations from Our Review Team

However, if you are looking for the best soldering iron with a satisfactory result, Weller WLC200 80-Watt Stained Glass soldering station is a stand-out among others. It has all the features enumerated above with an average price around $74 on Amazon.

Pros

It has a variable power control which produces 5-80-watt

It possesses an on/off switch power on indicator

Operates with MTG20, 21 and 22 tips

The present of a quality lightweight pencil iron

It does not experience cold spot like other stained glass soldering irons do when they try to recover heat

It possesses a cushioned foam grip that comes with replaceable heating element
years warranty

Also, UL listed

Cons

Weller WLC200 80-Watt Stained Glass Soldering station is not the cheapest product, but every quality product worth its price.

Great alternate – Weller-100 Watts Soldering Iron

The Weller-100 watt soldering iron is also a professional’s choice. It maintains temperature steadily and lesser in price, cheap to run, lightweight, heats up in no time and maintains temperature consistently. It would cost you around $65.00.

Pros

It reaches temperature very fast

It is easy to use for beginners as it is thermostatically controlled. This indicates that you do not have to adjust the temperature while you still solder nor do you need a costly rheostat (separate temperature controller)

It’s lightweight

Cons

Temperature cannot be adjusted

Very occasionally this iron will experience cold spots. It means that the temperature will drop, and it will need to rest for a minute or two to regain its heat

However, comparing the two soldering irons, it is clear that though the price of Weller WLC200 80-Watt stained glass soldering station is higher compared to Weller-100 watt soldering iron, it is better off, and it’s worth it.